How did I live life void of peanut-butter-chocolate-coconut-y goodness before these cookies?! These cookies are a winner that relentlessly beg to be made. and eaten. and then made again. followed by being eaten… again… My mouth is watering as I think about it…

No sugar! No flour! No eggs! No dairy! No bake! But so dang good! And very simple… Can life get any better?

Let me give you a tip here… If you can’t wait for them to firm up in the fridge, the cookie dough is just as good — if not better! Yeah, you’re welcome.

Oh! I got so carried away raving about the sheer deliciousness of this that I almost forgot to mention the nutritional value of these cookies. Coconut has a myriad of health benefits. It supports the immune system and keeps the skin looking healthy and youthful. Cocoa is loaded with antioxidants, and thus supports the heart. It also contains anti-depressant, mood-lifting properties. Need I say more?

Today I share with you my low-fat, sugar-free banana ice cream with a delicious, crunchy oat crumble topping! Did you know bananas are a very low-fat food? Less than 4% of their calories come from fat! They also have low glycemic index, meaning that the body absorbs the natural sugars found in the bananas slowly, preventing a sugar rush, yet providing long-lasting energy. Oats, like bananas, are a good source of fiber and help removes cholesterol from the bloodstream. 1/4 cup of oats contains the daily value of manganese, an essential nutrient in bone & skin health. Have I mentioned that this recipe is very simple to make? And it tastes even better when you share it with a loved one!

In this sandwich, eggplant couples beautifully with hummus, lettuce, tomato, and onion to create a scrumptious, satisfying lunch. Eggplant is a good source of dietary fiber and it contains phytonutrients that protect brain cells from damage.

The simplicity of life is beautiful. It’s truly awesome. This quick sorbet recipe contains only 2 ingredients and is whipped up in under 2 minutes. The pure taste of unrefined frozen fruit is delightfully tasteful!

This recipe is so simple yet delightfully delicious! You can make it in under 15 minutes. It’s great as a side or mixed into a salad.

Sweet potatoes contain anti-inflammatory nutrients, lots of fiber, and loads of antioxidants. They contain magnesium, which is important for the body to regenerate itself, especially after vigorous workouts. Did you know that one sweet potato contains about half of the daily recommended intake of vitamin C? Another reason why I like sweet potatoes is that they have a low glycemic index. This means the body slowly absorbs the natural sugars, preventing blood-sugar spikes, resulting in a steady amount of energy.

How will you use this recipe? Please share your ideas in the comment section below!

This overnight oats recipe tastes like pumpkin pie. It’s topped with a homemade pumpkin butter that takes less than 2 minutes to make! Pumpkins are very low in calories, and they support the immune system. Pecans are rich in magnesium – a mineral known for its anti-inflammatory benefits. They also contain healthy fats and lots of fiber.

Spring is coming up, but on some days winter is still very prominent. This is a perfect salad to savor the winter time, while simultaneously wishing summer would hurry up and get here. Due to the pan-fried apple and grape, it’s the perfect lukewarm temperature. Walnuts are high in omega-3 fatty acids, which support the cardiovascular system, and grapes contain an extraordinary amount of antioxidants, which prevent aging. Top it all of with metabolism-boosting cinnamon, and you’ve got yourself a winner!

This simple & quick recipe of mouth-watering overnight oats contains raspberries, which are very high in vitamin C, and tahini — a paste of sesame seeds — which is high in copper, to keep your blood & bones healthy. Tahini has a higher protein content than most nuts, keeping you satisfied for longer. The bitter tahini & tangy raspberries provide an amazing contrast of flavors which goes splendidly well with the sweet banana. I start craving this breakfast just thinking about it!

This low-cal smoothie is an excellent way to use your leftover pumpkin spices for! Pumpkin contains vitamins A for bone and reproduction health, C for immunity, and E for healthy skin & eyes. It’s great as a quick breakfast option or mid-day snack, and it tastes like a dessert!

This is a delicious, healthy snack that will satisfy any sugar cravings with the natural sweetness of fruit!

Bananas, though very sweet, have a low glycemic index, meaning that your body absorbs the sugar gradually, eliminating spikes in your blood sugar. Strawberries are very high in vitamin C which is extremely important for a good immune system. Cinnamon boosts the metabolism by slowing the rate at which the stomach empties after meals. All in all, these ingredients make an excellent combo to give you long-lasting energy and satisfaction.

Today I’m sharing with you my go-to breakfast: overnight oats! I eat this type of breakfast EVERY DAY. It’s so good and super simple. This breakfast contains a lot of fiber due to the oats, which is great to get your digestion system up and running. The banana provides a perfect mix of protein and healthy carbs, to keep you full until lunch time and give you the necessary energy to get going! This breakfast is sweet, but low on the glycemic index scale. Go ahead and try it, and let me know what you think!

Fall is here! This is a perfect dinner for Thanksgiving, Christmas, or any other festivity. It is absolutely AMAZING. It’s my favorite dish. The texture of the eggplant and chickpeas go so well together, and the sweetness of the dates and apricots blend perfectly with the cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg, and turmeric. Just thinking about it makes me smile. Eggplants protect the brain by fighting free radicals, and chickpeas help lower risk of colon problems. (According to Norman Walker, it’s all about the colon!)

If roasting the cashews, preheat the oven to 350º F. Stir. Place in oven for 3 minutes. Check if done.

For the coconut-almond sauce: Gently fry the onion in the coconut oil until soft.

Add the garlic and ginger and fry very gently. (Make sure the onion and garlic don't brown as this will ruin the color of the sauce)

Add the spices and stir into the onion mixture.

If roasting the cashews, place in oven for 5 minutes.

Add the coconut milk, water, and cinnamon stick. Bring to a boil and simmer gently for 15 minutes.

Take cashews out of the oven and stir. Place back into oven for 3 minutes.

Take sauce off heat and remove cinnamon stick.

Add ground almonds, lime/lemon zest and juice, and a pinch of salt.

Let cool. (You will be blending this sauce later, but first you must allow the sauce to cool otherwise it will explode the top of the blender off and you will have a coconut-almond sauce painted kitchen.)

Cover with lid and, stirring occasionally, simmer for 20 minutes or until eggplant is soft.

Blend the sauce that you let cool until smooth.

Serve stew with couscous or rice and the coconut-almond sauce. Top the stew with roasted/toasted cashews and leftover coriander.

Notes

This recipe tastes best when made a day before serving because then the spices will really be able to "soak in". If you didn't plan in advance, however, you can make this recipe and serve immediately. Just be sure to start by preparing the sauce.

* The coconut oil may be substituted by olive oil, but coconut oil is preferred.

Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and I will be sharing the perfect recipe for it next week that uses this delicious ketchup. Store-bought ketchup contains a ton of sugar, but this ketchup contains absolutely no refined sugar, yet it tastes amazing! It’s perfect on veggie burgers, with sweet potato fries, or for making pasta sauce! Tomatoes are full of vitamin C and antioxidants — great for cardiovascular and bone health. It’s super simple to make. Give it a try and let me know what you think!

Liebster Award

I am thrilled to announce to you that I have been nominated for the Liebster Award by A Journey With Tiffany!
The Liebster Award is an award given to new bloggers to learn about and connect with others. I count it an honor to be recognized as a notable blogger.

As a nominee, one must:

1. Answer the questions given by the nominator and then come up with 10 new questions to ask the bloggers one wants to nominate.

2. Nominate 8 other blogs, let them know one has nominated them, and put a link to their blog in one’s blog post.

3. Refer to the nominator by linking back to their blog in one’s blog post.

No tag backs are allowed and nominees must have under 200 followers on any platform.

Questions I have been asked: (I was asked only 9!)

What is your all-time favorite meal that you could eat every day without fail?That’s a tough question because I’m so fond of variety. Hummus, though not exactly a meal, is something I could eat every day without fail. Preferably in outrageously absurd amounts. While traveling through Israel I probably ate about half a pound of hummus per day! (not kidding)

What is your favorite holiday?Easter! I get so happy remembering what Jesus did for me.

Since going vegan, is there a dish that you would love to make vegan?Greek mousaka. And I have yet to find or come up with the perfect vegan pancakes! My experience with vegan pancakes is that they don’t get fluffy enough :(.

Why did you decide to become vegan?I was struggling with teenage acne, and would give veganism a shot to see if it would relieve my skin reactions. Apparently it did!

Do you like coffee or tea?Tea.

What do you like to do for fun?Sing, travel, laugh with friends, read, swim, spend time in nature, prepare food (!!!), rollerblade, play guitar, write (songs and stories), photograph things, hang out with my nephew…

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you travel and why?Morocco is on the top of my list. The culture seems mysterious and intriguing. I am curious to find out what the people and cuisine are like. I think their architecture is gorgeous.

What do you like to do on rainy days?Curl up with a book! Rainy days are perfect for studying and reading.

I am especially impressed with this blog’s layout and recipe index, and her recipes are equally as good.

http://www.eastmeetswestveg.com

Should it surprise you that this blog has ties to India as well? This Midwestern chick is married to a desi (Indian) boy and combines her love for vegan cooking with the occasional Bollywood movie review.

http://gggiraffe.blogspot.com

Beautiful food photography and a surplus of vegan recipes, you sure won’t get bored quickly here!

10 Questions for the Nominees:

1. Where do you live and what vegan place would you recommend in that area?

2. What food could I wake you up in the middle of the night for?

3. Why did you become vegan?

4. Why did you start blogging?

5. What’s the best vegan meal you’ve ever made? (link, please!)

6. What’s your favorite vegan dessert?

7. What do you eat when having a savory snack attack?

8. What do you eat when having a sweet tooth craving?

9. What do you serve non-vegans when they come over for dinner?

10. Could you please briefly explain how eating vegan has impacted your life?

Oh, and if you have a foolproof vegan pancake recipe, please do share that with me!

Typepath

You may have noticed a chat box on the right side of your screen when you come to my blog. This is a chat service called Typepath which is being beta tested on several vegan blogs. Typepath lets blog readers from across the globe chat in realtime on my blog with readers from dozens or even hundreds of other vegan blogs. Through Typepath you can get connected with other blog readers that share common interests. Whether you have a question about veganism, are looking for a specific recipe, or need help with the preparation of a vegan meal, you can use Typepath to converse with others online on vegan blogs that are using Typepath.

Leave a comment to let me know what you think about the blogs I nominated and Typepath!

Trust me, by the end of today you’re going to experience a post-candy binge workout craze. In order to help you cope with this, I’d like to share my recipe for protein bars with you that will keep you pumping through those reps!

These protein bars are packed with almonds and walnuts, high in fiber and healthy fats. The dates, coconut, and chia seeds are a great source of energy. Hemp powder/seeds gives this bar an extra protein boost. Protein will not only get you through those intense workouts, but it keeps you full longer and therefore reduces sweet cravings.

In the midst of being surrounded by candy during this time of the year, I present to you a sugar-free alternative: Cinnamon-Spiced Date Truffles.These are sweet, yet guilt-free, and absolutely delicious.

Dates are known for having numerous health benefits. Because they have a low glycemic index they are a great source of lasting energy. Cinnamon slows the rate at which the stomach empties after meals, reducing the rise in blood sugar after eating. This, too, has a positive effect on your energy! So go ahead and indulge in these sweet treats knowing that, while your kids bounce around the house post-sugar rush, you’ll be able to keep up with them ;).

Pumpkin. Spicy. Warm. This comforting soup is exactly what you need for chilly, fall weather. I make big batches to store in the fridge/freezer so I can warm up some soup after I come home from a cold, rainy day. Light some candles. Turn on Christmas lights. Enter jazz music. I’ve got myself a date! Mmm… Perfect. The nice thing about an inanimate date is that it doesn’t talk back to you. And after some days, that’s exactly what you need. Can I get an “amen”?

Besides being the perfect accompaniment for an evening home alone, this pumpkin soup is packed with nutrition. It is very low in calories (hurray!), and contains vitamins A (bone health), E (skin & eyes), C (immune system), and B (energy).

If you’re like me, you are savoring every bit of summer you can. Summer is my favorite season. The vivid colors, the warm sunshine, and the delicious produce readily available all adds to the joie de vivre. This Avocado-Raspberry Wrap contains walnuts, mint, and spinach. It’s vivid in color, flavor, and joy! Avocados are great for your skin, hair, and nails, and its soft, creamy texture pairs very well with the crunchy walnuts. Spinach is known to contain protein, as well as iron, which is highly important for women. The tangy raspberries, which promote healthy skin and are high in vitamin C, perfectly compliment the sweet chocolate vinaigrette. This anti-aging, mood-boosting wrap is the perfect lunch to enjoy the last bits of summer with!

Dear friends, Vegan Month of Food is about to end. What a journey it’s been! I want to thank you all for joining me on this adventure. I am so encouraged when you leave a comment, and I am filled with joy when you post a picture that you made one of my recipes.

Because I knew you were reading, it motivated me to come up with new, original, delicious recipes. It opened a door to a flow of creativity, and that is very precious to me. This month, I lived out one of my passions: to bless others through good food. It gave me a true sense of fulfillment and purpose. I woke up each morning excited to experiment in the kitchen, photograph edible pieces of art, and pour out my heart and knowledge into these posts through writing.

Yes, I take blogging most seriously, because I know that you are real and I want to provide you with helpful information that is reliable and unique. You were so worth the hard work and long hours. Please note that starting from next month, I will be posting only once a week so that I can focus on my studies. This post is my 20th recipe, and the Biblical name for this smoothie is “O Taste And See That the Lord is Good” :). It’s time to celebrate (while still keeping it healthy)!

In China, peaches are a symbol of good luck, protection, and longevity. It is rightfully so because of the many health benefits related to peaches. They are low in fat, but high in antioxidants. Full of vitamin A and C, they are great at promoting healthy skin, and they act as a natural stress-reliever. Combined with spinach, which is high in protein, and the antibacterial properties of cayenne pepper and cinnamon, this Cinnamon-Spiced Peach Salad is the perfect transition of summer to fall.

This recipe is amazing. If you are going to make only 1 smoothie, make this one! I have a new favorite recipe. It’s sweet, it’s different, and it contains carrots.

“Carrots?!”

Yes, carrots. High in antioxidants (beta-carotene), carrots prevents cardiovascular disease. Most interestingly, carrot juice closely resembles the molecules of red blood cells. And as we all know, blood = life.

I call this a “smoothie juice” because the consistency is between the thickness of a smoothie and the fluidity of a juice. If you want to make this smoothie thicker and be budget-friendly, you can use frozen mango instead of fresh.

I am ecstatic to share this recipe with you today! The flavors flow together like a perfect harmony. Avocados are great for the skin, hair, and nails. They also support the heart, and promote blood sugar regulation. Plums are low in calories but high in nutrition. They aid the digestive system and improve brain memory. The dressing in this recipe uses coconut oil, which is the best oil you can use.

I am from the Netherlands, and in our pea-sized country we have a saying that goes, “Small but nice!” and it’s one of my motto’s when it comes to preparing food. Cut up everything into teeny tiny pieces, and prepare the food with TLC. Such seemingly small actions will make a BIG difference!

1 avocado, chopped into bite-sized pieces and sprinkled with salt and pepper to taste

2 tablespoons red onion, minced*

Instructions

Start by chopping up the avocado into bite-sized pieces and sprinkling it with some salt and pepper to taste. Let it sit while you prepare the rest of the salad so the salt and pepper can really "sink in".

Tear the leaves of the spring mix into small pieces.

Make the dressing: Mix together the coconut oil, maple syrup, and lemon juice.

Gently massage the dressing into the salad leaves. (Remember: TLC!)

Add the avocado, plums, and red onion to the salad and mix carefully but well.

Take small bites, savor the flavors, and enjoy to the fullest!

Notes

*If you want to tone down the pungency of the onion, soak the minced onion in a bowl of water for 5 - 10 minutes before draining and adding it to the salad.

It’s the last week of Vegan Month of Food! I hope you have been enjoying it as much as I have. This smoothie can be made two ways — green or not green. I, however, definitely recommend you make it green! Strawberries are loaded with vitamin C, banana is a good source of fiber, and hazelnuts contain vitamins E (for healthy skin, hair and nails) and B (for metabolism). Almonds contain iron, especially important to women who have not undergone menopause, and spinach is a very good source of plant-based protein. All in all, I think we have a winner!

Have you ever had a Strawberry Salad with Orange Dressing before? Honestly, I had never even heard of Orange Vinaigrette when I thought of it, but it sounded like a pretty good idea in my head, and boy, it sure didn’t disappoint when I made it.

Strawberries and oranges are powerhouses of vitamin C. Moms, I feel ya! You are always looking for ways to incorporate vitamin C into your kids’ diets. Don’t shy away from feeding them salads! You can add a small container of salad to their lunch box. Start small, and work your way up. Plus, if you often eat salads, your kids will most likely want to follow in your footsteps, too!

This Banana-Orange-Pineapple-Pear Green Smoothie is simply refreshing and loaded with goodness! The bananas are full of fiber and potassium, an essential mineral for maintaining normal blood pressure and heart function. Oranges also lower high blood pressure, and are a great source of vitamin C. The manganese in pineapples will boost your energy and kick your antioxidant defences into high gear. Pears are not only a good source of vitamin C and K, but also of copper, which is essential for the brains. The skin of pears contains at least three to four times as many nutrients than the flesh, and the skin contains half of the pear’s total dietary fiber, so buy organic and leave the skin on!

Take note: This recipe makes a lot! (about 6 glasses, or enough breakfast for 2 to 3 people) Share it with your loved ones!

This salad is so simple yet SO delicious. The secret to this salad is this: organic ingredients. Because you’ve got nothing fancy going on in this salad, you have to rely wholeheartedly on the quality of the ingredients. That’s where organic produce comes in. Especially if you are a gastronome, you will appreciate the combination taste of the sweet, juicy peaches and slightly bitter spring mix. The softness of the peach compliments the delicateness of the salad leaves, and the orange compliments the green in color. A hint of sweet onion gives this salad a bit of a kick, and the simple olive oil-lemon juice-maple syrup dressing is an excellent accompaniment to this gorgeous salad. Serve it as an appetizer to a gourmet dinner, or whip it up as a quick and light salad for lunch.

I call this a “Banana Confetti Smoothie” because that’s what it reminded me of after I’ve made it. It contains bananas, which support digestive health. The chia seed is full of protein and fiber, which keeps you full (reducing your cravings) and further supports your digestive tract. It also contains goji berries, which are an energy and immunity booster. This simple smoothie doesn’t disappoint!

By now you’re probably as hooked on Norman Walker salads as I am. That’s why I’m giving you another one of his delicious, healthy, low-fat recipes! This one is the #22. It contains celery, which is great for the heart, does an outstanding job in providing anti-inflammatory support, and is full of antioxidants. It also contains prunes, which protect the brain from free radical damage. They also are high in soluble fiber which slows down the absorption of sugar into the blood stream, keeping blood sugar levels stable. Let me tell you a quick, funny story about prunes! I particularly like the taste of prune juice. I was once attending a conference and had refilled me bottle of prune juice with water. I got so many joking comments about the “prune juice” and I didn’t know what was so funny! I soon found out that prunes are famous for their laxative properties in relieving constipation. I had no clue! Anyway, my fondness for prune juice has not subsided since, but I did get a different container for my water! Norman Walker calls for raw, sweet whipped cream, but I use full-fat coconut milk. It tastes delicious and contains no lactose like dairy does. Check back here again tomorrow for a “Confetti Smoothie”. Enjoy!

Watermelon is extremely hydrating (92% of watermelon is water!), very little calories (meaning you can eat as much of it as you want/can!), and contains dietary fiber, which is good for the digestive system. Pineapple contains vitamin C and manganese, an essential cofactor in a number of enzymes important in energy production and antioxidant defenses. Like watermelon, it carries digestion-related benefits and is anti-inflammatory.

Enjoy life, be a blessing, and take small sips while drinking this smoothie.

Another Norman Walker salad! This contains some of the same ingredients as Tuesday’s #1 Salad, but the taste is entirely different, though just as good! Because I covered the health benefits of celery, carrot, and tomato in the salad #1 post, today I will cover the health benefits of red cabbage, avocado, and radishes.

This Coconut Almond Cherry Chocolate Smoothie is NOT green, for a change! Its consistency is thick, creamy, and milkshake-y. I think it’s amazing that sweet treats like these can be so healthy.

Coconut milk promotes healthy skin and may help repair wrinkles and sagging in aging skin. Almonds contain iron, which is especially important for women who have not undergone menopause. Women need more iron at this time because they lose blood each month during their period. Iron is of vital importance to the body, as it is responsible for cell growth, especially the formation of red blood cells, which transport oxygen throughout your body. An iron deficiency may result in a lack of energy.

Another dressing-less salad! Before I get into the recipe, I want to give you some background information. This recipe is from the book “The Vegetarian Guide to Diet and Salad” by Dr. Norman Walker. He has been researching man’s ability to live a longer, healthier life since 1910 for over 70 years. He is globally recognized as one of the most authoritative students of life, health, and nutrition. In his book, “The Vegetarian Guide to Diet and Salad” he includes over 70 healthy recipes. Though they are not all vegan, there are some really good recipes in there, and it includes an informative mini-encyclopedia on the most common fruits and vegetables. Definitely a recommendation.

This salad is his “number 1″ salad. Now, that doesn’t mean this is his self-proclaimed best salad in the world. Instead of giving his salads creative names, it seems that Dr. Walker was a very linear-thinking man as his recipes are numbered “No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, etc…” and contain no titles. His writing, however, is quite often sarcastically funny. I was a little doubtful of making this salad because there was neither a dressing to go with it nor a picture to convince me I should make it. After eating this good-for-the-heart salad, however, I must truthfully say that I am hooked!

One of my friends recently told me she was looking forward to a recipe that was kind of “out of the ordinary”. In my post on the Dressing-less Mango-Avocado Salad I promised to give you a recipe that would surprise you. Therefore, today I present to you the Superfood Detox Green Smoothie. This thing is LOADED with superfoods! It tastes like cinnamon-spiced applesauce, and is perfect for a chilly, fall morning.

Jennifer Cornbleet’s Mango-Avocado Salad from her book “Raw Food Made Easy for 1 or 2 People” has become one of my mom’s specialties. One day I made this classic and forgot to add the dressing. When I tasted it, however, I realized this salad was amazing without any dressing at all! I became ecstatic. I discovered a low-cal salad that tasted delicious! No oil. No added sweetener. The juiciness of the mango and creaminess of the avocado add the moisture and silkiness to make up for a lack of dressing. Not to mention the wonderful heath benefits of mangoes and avocados. They are both good sources of vitamin E, which promotes beautiful skin, healthy hair, and strong nails. It may surprise you that a food high in fat would be helpful for weight loss, but avocado does just that. Mangoes and avocados alkalize the entire body, giving cancer no chance at all. Take my word for it. Try it. It’s so good! (more…)

This Piña Colada Green Smoothie will send your taste buds to the tropics! Pineapple is both high in vitamin C and manganese, essential for energy production and antioxidant defenses. Coconut milk works wonders for the hair and skin as the fatty acids act as a moisturizer and prevent infections like acne. Start off your day great with this tropical green smoothie!

I am very excited about this post, because today I share one of my favorite recipes with you! Did you know that strawberries, not oranges, are the best fruit source for vitamin C? They are literally loaded with it. Also, strawberries are amazing for the cardiovascular system. Spinach is an excellent source of iron, essential for blood health. It also is a great source of plant-based protein, which makes this salad satisfying, simple, and refreshing. It will also be a hit on any summer party or potluck. Be sure to make enough of this because most likely everyone will love it.

Vegan Month of Food 2014 Day #2. Today I present to you: the Banana Orange Pineapple Green Smoothie! Loaded with vitamin C from the orange and pineapple, and protein from the banana and spinach, this spinach is easy to digest yet satisfying. The other day, when one of my friends saw the list of ingredients of this smoothie, he was a little thrown off by the spinach. Spinach in a smoothie?!

In case you’re not already acquainted, let me introduce you to my breakfast buddy The Green Smoothie. It’s basically a smoothie with any added leafy, green vegetable, such as spinach or kale. So why go green? I’m glad you asked.

Happy Labor Day! This festive occasion deserves to be celebrated with this delicious Arugula-Pear Salad with Dark Chocolate Vinaigrette. Salads are a great choice, especially during the summer. Did you know pears are a good source of vitamin C, a crucial element for keeping your immune system strong? They also contain copper, which is essential for brain and blood health. In case you were a little hesitant about the arugula, please don’t let it scare you off! Only 30% of the greens used in this recipe are arugula. It’s pungent flavor is balanced out by lollo rosso and Swiss chard (have I mentioned that Swiss chard is loaded with vitamin K, vital for strong and healthy bones?). Besides their health benefits, they provide a nice pop of red as an added bonus.

Sigh… red. The color of love! I’ll be very honest with you, I had my own little love affair with this delicious salad the other day. It is very romantic, indeed. Who says we have to wait until Valentine’s Day before we start smothering practically everything under the sun — including salads — in chocolate? I sure don’t.

So what are you waiting for? Combined with the mood-boosting, antioxidant properties of raw cacao and amazing health benefits of coconut oil, this low-cal salad will help you get your daily greens in easily. AND it lets you indulge in chocolate-y goodness absolutely guilt-free. Mmm… That sounds like music in my ears, and yummy in my tummy!